Italian Meatball Casserole
Miz Helen's Kitchen
Ingredients
Meatballs
1 pound ground chuck
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 small onion, chopped fine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon basil
1 tablespoon parsley
1 tablespoon rosemary
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon pepper
1 egg, beaten
Sauce
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic
2 14 ounce cans diced tomatoes
1 14 ounce can tomato sauce
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1 1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon anise seed
1 teaspoon salt
1teaspoon pepper
pinch of red pepper flakes
Pasta
1(12 ounce) bag- Large Elbow Macaroni
1 (8 ounce) block cream cheese
Top Garnish
1 cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded
Directions
Meatballs
Gently mix all the meatball ingredients together, careful not to over mix. With 2 tablespoons of the mix roll the mix into a ball.
Place the meatballs on a lined baking sheet.
Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.
Let the meatball rest for at least 30 minutes before adding to sauce or freezing.
Sauce
In a very hot stock pot add the olive oil and saute the onion and the garlic until the onion is clear.
Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat and let simmer for 30 to 45 minutes.
Add the meatballs and cook on low heat for 15 minutes and keep warm.
Cook the pasta to package directions.
Drain the pasta and pour it into a very large mixing bowl.
While the pasta is hot, add the cream cheese and mix until melted into the pasta.
Stir in the 4 cups of the sauce one cup at a time, stirring to make sure it is blended with the pasta.
In a 9X13 baking dish, place a little of the sauce in the bottom of the pan.
Add the pasta mix to the baking dish.
Place the meatballs on top of the pasta.
Sprinkle the Parmesan Cheese on top of the meatballs and pasta.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, until heated through and starting to bubble around the edge.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Enjoy!
Recipe Tip
The meatballs can be frozen up to 3 months before or after baking.
The meatballs can be served with or without the sauce.